Camellia thought carefully and said, "There were no special signs, the illness started during a summer when the weather had just begun to warm up."

"Was there anything abnormal before that?"

"After the New Year that year, Xiao Kunkun started saying he felt itchy, and he felt better after taking some medicine, but he became ill during the summer; does that count as abnormal?" Camellia asked uncertainly.

At that moment, Bai Ling brought over the brewed tea and Ling Zhenfei took a sip; the tea indeed was fragrant and refreshing, with a subtle floral scent mingled with the earthy aroma of spring. Ling Zhenfei liked the flavor after just one sip.

"The tea leaves are really good, I like them a lot." Ling Zhenfei genuinely praised.

"As long as you like it, I'll bring back more for you when we go back to Miaojiang for the New Year." Camellia said with a hint of enthusiasm.

After hearing this, Ling Zhenfei suddenly hesitated, then seemed to think of something, and quickly asked, "Do you go back to Miaojiang every year for the New Year?"

"Yes, we go back every year. There are elders and relatives in Miaojiang; it wouldn't be good not to visit." Camellia said lightly.

Ling Zhenfei suddenly stood up and said, "I think I understand now. You mentioned that Xiao Kunkun started feeling itchy after coming back from the New Year, right?"

"Yes, that's right." Camellia looked at Ling Zhenfei blankly, not knowing what Ling Zhenfei had figured out.

"If you go back to Miaojiang for the New Year every year, and Xiao Kunkun started feeling itchy after one of those trips, then became ill in the summer, if I'm not mistaken, there must have been a problem during his stay in Miaojiang over the New Year." Ling Zhenfei analyzed confidently.

"Then what could have gone wrong?" This time, even Bai Ling was a bit stunned, not understanding what Ling Zhenfei meant.

Ling Zhenfei explained, "The tea in Miaojiang is quite famous, but more famous than the tea is the gu. I guess Xiao Kunkun was affected by a gu!"

Upon hearing this, it was indeed an astonishing revelation that stunned both Camellia and Bai Ling, their eyes wide open in disbelief.

"Actually, what Xiao Kunkun has isn't any aging disease at all, so the doctors at the International Hospital have been treating it as such, which is why they haven't been able to cure it. Actually, what Xiao Kunkun has isn't an aging disease, but an odd insect bite that burrowed into his body, which has a strange ability to absorb Essence Qi to evolve itself."

"This insect, unable to find Essence Qi in Xiao Kunkun's body, could only absorb the Essence Qi from his organs. As the Essence Qi dried up, Xiao Kunkun's organs lost their vitality, thus leading to premature aging. What I saw inside Xiao Kunkun is the Miaojiang gu insect."

After Ling Zhenfei finished speaking, Bai Ling was somewhat incredulous, but Camellia was pensive, silent for a moment. However, Ling Zhenfei continued observing Camellia's expression and knew his analysis was likely correct from the way Camellia looked.

"Maybe you're right." Finally, Camellia spoke.

"Did you remember something?" Ling Zhenfei knew from Camellia's expression that she must have remembered something.

"Yes, I have remembered some things; they might be related," said Camellia, pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts.

"My hometown is in Miaojiang, a place composed of several villages of the Miao ethnic group. You just mentioned the practice of raising gu, and indeed, several villages there have the custom of creating Gu insects. Perhaps Kun Kun's illness is indeed caused by someone casting a gu on him during his time in Miaojiang."

As Camellia spoke, her expression turned grim, as if recalling some unbearably painful memories.

"Who would be so hateful as to cast a gu on a child, and such a strange gu at that? It's heartless," Bai Ling said indignantly upon hearing Camellia's words.

Ling Zhenfei certainly knew why Bai Ling was angry. Seeing the condition of little Kun Kun would pain anyone's heart, so it was natural to feel angry at the person who had cast the gu.

"So, do you know who cast the gu? I think you probably have an idea," he asked.

Gu insects are often raised from a young age, some people raise gu as a common practice, amassing many of them; however, some raise only a single, extremely rare gu their entire life, unique and irreplaceable. Unless there is a deep hatred or vendetta, one wouldn't cast a gu on another person.

Kun Kun is so young; he couldn't possibly have offended anyone. So, if someone cast a gu on him, it is very likely that this person holds some deep grudge against Kun Kun's parents. Camellia must be aware of it.

Camellia's face was hard to read, showing great pain yet seemingly reluctant to admit to it all. After a long pause, she finally said, "I'm not sure, but if Kun Kun was really affected by a gu, then it must have been him."

"Who is it?" Ling Zhenfei knew Camellia was ready to reveal it.

"Would you like to hear my story?" Camellia asked, her voice low, clearly indicating that the story was not a happy one.

"Of course, we would," Bai Ling said, glancing at Ling Zhenfei.

Then, Camellia began to tell a tale that had happened to her.

As it turned out, when Camellia was young, she was known as a great beauty in the region of Miaojiang, famous across the villages. When she came of age, many young men pursued her.

Among them was a particularly persistent young man named Gu Shan. He was tall, well-built, and simple-hearted. In his pursuit of Camellia, he even wrestled with wild oxen and ventured into the mountains during stormy nights to gather medicinal herbs, doing many touching things for her.

However, Camellia's marriage was not hers to decide. Her family had already chosen a partner for her, the fairly successful Leize Ta, and their engagement had been arranged early on. Gu Shan, unaware of this, continued his foolish acts for her love.

So, Camellia arranged to meet him, intending to break the news. Gu Shan was overjoyed; it was the first time Camellia had initiated a meeting, thinking his sincerity had touched her. But when Camellia told him everything, Gu Shan was dumbfounded, unable to accept the outcome, though nothing could be changed.

Since then, the once lively and cheerful Gu Shan became quiet and withdrawn, even shunning people. Camellia was greatly saddened, but her marriage to Leize Ta still took place as scheduled. On her wedding day, she received a special gift, a curse written in blood, wishing that Camellia and Leize Ta's children would die before them.

Although the bloody letter was unsigned, Camellia knew it must have been from Gu Shan. However, everyone treated the bloody letter as a sick joke, not taking it seriously. Thinking back to the many years that have passed, many people probably have forgotten about that ordeal. Who could have imagined such a mishap would befall little Kun Kun?

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